Map Tweak Project - restoration and enhancement

General Development Source 1
#1

This is a small project because I simply do not have time to do massive projects but I still want to contribute some things to either improve or enhance Black Mesa where possible.

My Goals are quite simple and are as follows.

  1. Restore moved scene to original location in C3a2b Alien Grunt Forcing Doors open of main hallway - Status = Done version 1.0

https://www.mediafire.com/?jslp2l4jrfxcq7d

Replace map in BMS / maps from the file updated the original is also included to erase the update

2. Restore the spinning fan blade in office complex vent to chop up headcrabs / move the scene of the zombie behind the door also to this area due to map layout alterations - Status = Not started

  1. Improve the transition effects of the teleport orbs in Lambda core this will only be a test map example. Status = Started not tested

  2. Improve the Headcrab digging it’s way to the surface by adding a dust effect to the action test map example Status = Not started

  3. Improve teleportation effects in Anomalous Materials Test Chamber whole map if possible and add missing teleport to the bullsquid Status = Not Started

  4. Improve teleport sequence on to xen adding a wormwhole / vortex before credits / xen. Status = Not Started

  5. Lock The door in QE before the laser puzzle so you cannot load back to the last level - Add fire damge if you try to go through the molten hole too early. And fix the trigger so you actally see the scripted sequence of the scientist blowing himself up with the tau cannon if it’s included? Status = Not Started

It’s a small project like I said but hope to get through it reasonably quick… But quite busy with work at the moment and do not want to take on the responsibility of a massive project

Anyway These are my project goals but also would like to welcome other map tweaks and examples from others of trying to enhance or restore either whole maps or test rooms. But please no maps with loads of enemies or weapons placed in the map i.e Shoot fest claiming to be an enhancement or an improvement unless it is valid as an example and not detracting from what the game is… This is very important and I hope this is clear on the idea for this project.

This first post will be updated with download links and videos or images but for now I keep this a simple link on my first submission off the list

Any suggestions for small tweaks to be done mapping wise are also welcome and anyone who wants to strike any of these off the list by contributing is also welcome this is not a definitive list

#2

Good luck!

I hope a lot of this projects will make it in the final release

#3

Well your welcome to try the first submission out and give feedback on it if you would like to… essentially it’s a very minor change but has a bigger impact

#4

No problem, ready to go!

#5
  1. Restore moved scene to original location in C3a2b - Status = Done version 1.0

https://www.mediafire.com/?jslp2l4jrfxcq7d

Replace map in BMS / maps from the file updated the original is also included to erase the update

either type in the console map C3a2b and give yourself weapons or start a new game from lambda core :slight_smile:

#6

Map is smaller in capacity, a fiew MB

#7

Which scene was restored? I’m interested in this, but I’m not planning on replaying BM until Xen is released.

#8

apologies Bur the alien Grunt Forcing the doors open as you go down the main corridor.

The alien grunt that comes through the other door where the scene in Black Mesa was moved to has a small scripted sequence also only because I swapped the doors back to where they should be in the original and had another grunt here from black mesa version so thought I might as well do something a bit different with this one… very small changes. (updated first post) effectivley there is also one extra alien grunt to beat here too now

I don’t want to post a video because it will ruin it… but feedback appreciated

#9

You know, it would clear some things up if you made a video or some screenshots ^^.

#10

With respect to map tweaking and enhancement, the one that needs the most serious revision is actually Questionable Ethics. All of the signs have horrible and unprofessional-looking mistakes. I get the impression that the designer was a non-native English speaker.
Someone should really address this before the other issues, unless the devs are doing so already. Here’s what I sent them:

  1. Questionable Ethics-
    A. There are some serious design and grammatical issues on several of the billboards, posters and signs that stand out like a sore thumb compared to the consistency and professional appearance of the chapters before it. Here are some examples and suggested changes:

i. Lab A sign says audio -> spacial (misspelled), bio chem, bio-> electrics. Suggested change: acoustic analysis -> or audio-spatial-> (all on one line), biochemistry or biochem-> (one word), bioelectrics -> (one word). All of the signs look more professional and realistic when the words are kept on one line. In general, when using “bio” as a prefix, it can be glued directly onto the word w/o using a space or hyphen.

ii. Similar changes: micro -> optronic necropsy to micro-optronic necropsy ->, optronics -> labs to optronics labs ->, primary -> laser to primary laser ->, <- Lab D (new line) [access] to <-Lab D [access], conference [new line] room to conference room. There are so many of these mistakes that it’s hard to keep track of them all. You’ll have to look at each sign carefully.

iii. The “A03-canteen” sign should be changed to “A03-cafeteria.” No one uses the word canteen to describe a cafeteria in the U.S.

iv. The “B07-special treatment” room with the vortigaunt should be renamed. “Special treatment” is not realistic.

v. The Biodome Lab Announcements are full of grammatical errors, including inappropriate capitalization (e.g. Pizza, Labs) and inconsistent use of periods. Change “Doctors, Foreman, Junek” to “Doctors Foreman, Junek” (remove comma). Change availeable to available. Change todays to today’s.

vi. “Exoskeletal osteopathics” is nonsense…these scientists are not chiropractors that massage alien backs. Suggest change: exoskeleton analysis.

vii. “Xeno flora” should be xenoflora (one word) on all of the signs.

viii. “Minor xenos” is nonsense as xenos is not a real word. Suggested change: xenofauna or minor xenofauna, since this sign is placed over the snark cannon room.

ix. There is an extra space on the Biodome Facility Floor 1 poster before the word “Decomtamination” that should be deleted. There is an extra space before the word “Disposal” that should be deleted. The aforementioned grammatical changes should also be incorporated in this poster as well.

x. There is an extra space on the Biodome Facility Floor 2 poster after “Decon” that should be deleted. Perhaps change this word to “Decontamination” to reflect the floor 1 poster.

xi. Outside of the QE building there are signs that read “hydro electric facility.” Change to “hydroelectric dam” or “hydroelectric facility.”

B. Would be nice to have leeches make a cameo appearance in the biodome observatory (pond area with headrabs), since they are missing from the game. By keeping the leeches here, the player doesn’t have to interact with them. This also makes the in-game comment regarding leeches in the water legit.

C. There is a Barney standing outside of the dissection unit room who doesn’t interact with you until after you’ve freed the scientists. He should say something about rescuing them to cue the players to their objective.

D. The hole in the wall that is created after activating the laser should cause heat damage on the player HUD if they try to enter it immediately. Adding a cooldown period to the wall would make it more realistic.

E. The final HECU battle is ridiculous on hard mode given the current level of balance and has been the subject of numerous complaints. The only way to beat it is to hunker in a corner and use magnum/shotgun or memorize the spawns of all of the soldiers. This kills immersion not to mention it defeats the purpose of having all of the defensive locations, since they don’t even get used. My aforementioned balance changes might help fix this (see above).

#11

I guess that this is the mod he made:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mB6euS09xo&feature=plcp

#12

This is an interesting list but this is by and large about changing textures or decal signs… I really wish I knew how to use vtf edit… Those are big shoes to fill here on this forum as they could be easily edited by somone who knows material and textures but glad you logged this thanks for the input regarding the signs…

To add an area to questionable ethics although I am for a flora room there and some of the changes you have noted are good. I also thought about the continuity of leeches in HL2 and figured that flushing them from an aquarium tank into a normal drainage would be gordons fault and why they are now so numerous in the sequel… But I feel a bit put off by adding stuff for the sake of it… The Devs should Add here as they really made this level theirs and it should stay that way I think

Locking the door when you go up to the Lasers I think is an absolute must, I had some huge bugs from loading back and fourth… as I did not know what to do and thought I missed something.

Ok let me ponder your suggestions but there is certainly some weight to some of it thinking back to my play through.

#13

Yep but that was without HDR and It was a test as I was unarmed in that video. The level is by and large unchanged apart from 2 things really you just either try it or don’t try it on this one… Sorry

#14

Stop being such “THIS IS AN ARMA II MOD AND ERRYTHING NEEDS TO BE REALISTIC DURR DURR” guy, and have atleast some respect to the people who took 8 years to develop this instead of whining and crying about the most little things in the game.This is not a simulator, get over it.

#15

Lots of time spent on a project isn’t a legitimate excuse not to mention a huge heap of grammar mistakes in one area. Some of the suggestions are closer toards personal preference, but it’s mostly reasonable fixes. Hardly worth the time to fix, though, if I had to say.

#6 is fine, to me. Nothing that seems too out of place for this facility, and if not it could always pass for technobabble.

Looks retardedly dark, but otherwise I like it. Maybe allow the player to get a bit closer to increase the freaking of their shit?

#16

I agree with the grammar thing, but is “micro-optronic necropsy” really necessary?I mean, its not a research facility simulator come on.

#17

you can try it out yourself… enjoy :slight_smile:

and retardly dark test without HDR it’s in HDR now for you to play

actually if you keep going or run to those doors you’ll plant a kiss on him

#18

I just replayed the complete thing :smiley:

Cause didn’t know what I was looking for :smiley:

#19

I might take a look next time I feel like playing Black Mesa, Ronster.

I reiterate, technobabble, so I agree, this isn’t too big 'o problem. Not like you know every single word and it’s obviously incorrect. It’d be different if it was obvious stuff, eg. nuclear-hydro resonance, or something like that. When my friend played he made fun of “Acousto-optic modulator,” saying they were “taking this technobabble stuff too far.” I felt so smart when I actually had heard of that and told him it was a real thing.
/barelyrelated

#20

Perhaps you should stop acting like a petulant, insulting child on a forum that is meant to improve the features of BMS. Almost all of the posts you make are condescending and if you have nothing constructive to say, you should perhaps shut your mouth and “get over” yourself. Simple as that. It’s amazing the moderators haven’t banned your sorry ass yet.

Just because your vocabulary is limited doesn’t mean everyone else’s vocabulary is either. The main issue is not the hyphen between micro-optronic necropsy, it’s that the words for each sign are not on one line which makes the signs confusing. Go back and play the chapter to see what I mean. This problem is everywhere.

European developers or not, BMRF is a New Mexico installation. Hence American English conventions are the norm.

Founded in 2004, Leakfree.org became one of the first online communities dedicated to Valve’s Source engine development. It is more famously known for the formation of Black Mesa: Source under the 'Leakfree Modification Team' handle in September 2004.